Bingham University Hosts The Nigerian Postgraduate College Of Optometrists' 18th Annual Induction Ceremony

Bingham University recently hosted the 18th Annual Induction Ceremony of the Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists, NPCO. Ahead of the event, the leadership of the College paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, to formally appreciate the university for accepting to host the prestigious annual programme.

The President, Prof. Franklin Kio, expressed appreciation to the University's Governing Council and Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, for hosting the event. He commended the University for its dedication to excellence in optometric education and healthcare training, noting that the quality of preparations reflected its commitment to academic and professional development. 

He further noted that Bingham University is the first university in Northern Nigeria to host the prestigious annual induction ceremony of the Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists. Prof. Kio expressed confidence that the event would be a memorable gathering of optometrists, academics, researchers, and industry stakeholders from across the country.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the University's dedication to promoting excellence in healthcare education. He thanked the Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists for choosing Bingham University as the host institution and assured the College of the University's full support to ensure the successful hosting of the event.

The Vice-Chancellor also recognized the contributions of the Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. D.D. Sheni, to the growth of the Faculty and the Department of Optometry. He congratulated Prof. Sheni on his forthcoming induction into the Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists, describing the recognition as well deserved and reflective of his dedication and professional excellence.

Speaking at the opening of the 18th Induction Ceremony, Prof. Kio congratulated the newly inducted Fellows, describing their induction as a call to greater responsibility in clinical practice, research, mentorship, leadership, and ethical service. He emphasized that the College remains focused on strengthening residency training, expanding research, enhancing specialty competence, and promoting closer collaboration between postgraduate training and university-based optometric education. He encouraged participants to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference through scientific discussions, professional networking, and knowledge sharing, expressing confidence that the gathering would further advance specialist optometric practice and contribute to improved eye healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Musa Dankyau presented a paper titled "A Shared Vision for Transforming Eye Care in Nigeria: Research, Innovation and Collaboration for an Integrated People-Centred Eye Health System."  

He challenged participants to shift their focus from individual professions to the patient's journey, illustrating his message with the story of an elderly woman living with diabetes whose path to restored sight involved the coordinated efforts of community health workers, primary care physicians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, rehabilitation specialists, and family support. According to him, quality eye care is achieved not by one profession working in isolation, but through seamless collaboration across the healthcare continuum.

Prof. Dankyau stressed that eye care is an integral part of the broader health system, closely linked to Universal Health Coverage, primary healthcare, non-communicable disease management, digital health, health financing, and workforce development. He referenced the World Health Organization's concept of Integrated People-Centred Eye Care, which places patients, not professional boundaries, at the centre of healthcare delivery.

Speaking on collaboration, he urged healthcare professionals to move beyond professional silos and embrace complementary roles that improve patient outcomes. He noted that every stakeholder, including government, universities, teaching hospitals, professional colleges, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and patients, has a vital contribution to strengthening Nigeria's eye health system.

Prof. Dankyau also emphasized that research must move beyond generating publications to solving practical healthcare challenges facing Nigeria. He advocated for greater adoption of implementation science, operational research, practice-based research networks, quality improvement, health systems research, patient-reported outcome measures, and multidisciplinary research to strengthen service delivery and inform national policy.

Highlighting the role of innovation, Prof. Dankyau identified digital referral pathways, shared electronic health records, tele-eye care, artificial intelligence, portable diagnostic technologies, community screening programmes, integrated diabetic eye clinics, competency-based professional education, and national quality indicators as critical drivers of a more connected and equitable eye care system. He noted that technology alone cannot transform healthcare; rather, innovation must be accompanied by integration across all levels of care.

Looking ahead, he envisioned a Nigeria where every newborn receives eye screening, every person living with diabetes undergoes regular retinal assessment, glaucoma is detected early, community screening is electronically linked to specialist services, and multidisciplinary research informs national health policy. He further advocated for eye care to be fully integrated into Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that quality eye care is accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

The highlight of the event was the induction of a new set of Fellows into the College, marking the successful completion of their rigorous postgraduate training and their admission into the community of specialist optometrists.